Allergies are your body’s way of defending against a perceived threat. When a substance that is normally harmless triggers an immune system response, antibodies are produced in the blood and tissues to attack the allergen. Chemicals called histamines flood the bloodstream, causing inflammation of the tissues and blood vessels, and a variety of symptoms that include itchiness, watery eyes and runny nose. While allergies represent an abnormal immune system response, they are quite common in the population as a whole, affecting more than 50 million Americans. Our experienced staff of allergists can test you to determine the allergens responsible for your symptoms, and put together a custom treatment plan designed to reduce their severity and help you lead a normal, healthy life.
Allergy Symptoms
Allergy symptoms differ depending on the type of allergy. Allergy symptoms typically involve the airways, sinuses, nasal passages and skin. They can range from mild to severe. Some patients may develop anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction that causes swelling in the throat and breathing difficulties. Symptoms may develop within seconds of exposure and include abdominal…
Food Allergies
Your immune system’s primary goal is to keep your body healthy. In the case of food allergies, your immune system mistakes harmless food proteins as a threat and attack. Large amounts of immunoglobulin E (IgE), an antibody, are produced. IgE causes the release of histamine and other chemicals, which can trigger the symptoms of an…
Non-Pharmacologic Therapy
Non-pharmacologic therapy refers to treatment that does not involve medicine. Allergy sufferers have several options for drug-free treatment of their symptoms, depending on the allergen triggers. The best treatment for your allergies is avoidance. While medications will help you deal with the symptoms, they do little to help treat the problem long-term. If you are…